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Study: Cellphones don't effect medical equipment

Healthcare Security Weekly, February 27, 2006

A recent study published in Anesthesia and Analgesia says cellphones have no effect on medical equipment in hospitals, according to USA Today.

The study surveyed 4,018 hospital workers and found that 17.5% use cellphones as their primary means of communication within the hospital, despite 49% of the hospitals banning cellphone use.

The survey was made up mostly of anesthesiologists, who say that cellphones cut down on the communication delays of pagers.

The study reports that modern cellphones use much less power than older analog phones and electronic medical devices are now shielded against possible side effects.

Some of the respondents did agree that cellphones shouldn't be allowed for visitors, though, to reduce any risk of electromagnetic interference and any annoyance in patient areas.

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